Bozeman is clearly the epicenter of the people who have long studied how institutional arrangements affect the quality of natural resource and environmental management. In these arenas, as in all others where chance does not determine the outcome, decisions depend on two things, information and incentives. There are many types of incentives including cultural, financial, […]
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Last week I received calls from two presidential campaign policy advisors; one Democrat, the other Republican. Each expressed interest in environmental position papers for their candidates. They hope their perspectives on Green issues will appeal to voters, especially those in Western states. Both parties need help—but in opposite directions. Republicans need sensitivity to Green issues, […]
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Creating the national parks was one of America’s best ideas, but inevitable political pressures jeopardize their mission. The parks’ strongest supporters warn of dangers from political management. Consider a recent New York Times editorial. After noting Americans’ overwhelming support for national parks, the Times opines: “Yet in the past two months we have seen two […]
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The Bush administration has authored a proposal that will, for the first time, give Western governors authority to formally propose development in our wildest public lands. This overturns President Clinton’s decision to set aside 40 million acres of National Forest as roadless areas. Although the initiative was criticized as part of the Clinton administration’s “War […]
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Here’s a neat summer project: Let’s fix the snowmobile controversy in Yellowstone. It illustrates how a distorted market and bureaucratic pathologies constrain creative thinking. The solution lies in going outside the traditional business practices of the snowmobile renters and the vested interests of local, regional, and national political groups. West Yellowstone describes itself as the […]
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“Unfortunately for everyone who cares about Yellowstone Park, [federal judge] Brimmer’s decision further entangles the park in a legal quagmire: The opponents of recreational snowmobiling sue. The government responds. The proponents of snowmobiling sue. The government responds. Then the cycle starts all over again. What will the rule be next winter? Where will this all […]
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If this column seems familiar, it’s an argument I’ve run for over three decades. The principles and conclusion don’t change, only the characters do. I just heard Brian Schweitzer note that 9,000,000 people visit Montana each year. They don’t come to see heap leach mines or Superfund sites. Most come to experience our natural wonders, […]
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Green Bag Press, 2002, preface by John Baden and Ramona Marotz-Baden. Contact FREE to purchase.
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President Bush has just proposed a “healthy forests initiative” aimed at reducing the fire hazard on national forest lands. This calls for thinning 2.5 million acres of national forests a year for the next ten years. The total cost could exceed $100 billion. Mr. Bush proposes to expedite this process by exempting it from environmental […]
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Each summer the Foundation for Research on Economics and the Environment (FREE) organizes and hosts a series of seminars. This year MSU has joined us as cosponsor. These programs attract some of the nation’s most respected and influential opinion leaders and decision makers. Lecturers include professors from Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Berkeley. MSU speakers have […]
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